Preparing for our New Batch!

It's hard to imagine all the preparation that had to take place when we said goodbye to 7 elders and welcomed 24! That means opening up new areas, getting new apartments (in a few instances) purchasing new beds, desks, etc., etc, etc. The Shaners (our apartment couple) spent the entire month getting everything ready for these new missionaries.

This was the first time missionaries could fly in and out of Cauayan--that's right no more overnight bus trips!!! This became a reality when the MTCs finally came together and released our missionaries on Tuesday instead of Wednesday so that they could make the early morning Wed. flights. (We only have 3 flights a week into Cauayan.) So Sister Laker spent hours working on all the paperwork necessary for the flights.

President and the Assistants worked hard to identify the new trainers and then wait for the confirmation from the Holy Ghost as they prayed about them.

On transfer day "all hands were on deck." We had all couples come to the airport to help with luggage and transporting missionaries. They also helped with setting up the building and sorting the mail, etc.

Everyone had to chip in and help with all the work.

A week before transfers we had a wonderful training session with our new trainers, who were all raring to train the new missionaries.

Elder Phippen, Elder Robertson, Elder Odom and Elder Marshall are excited to train!

Elder Odom was recovering from being a little sick and so he didn't eat our Tacos--poor guy stuck with bananas!

Elder Betancourt, Elder Marshall and Elder Phippen

Elder Juzcaya, Sister

Elder Garcia, Elder Opalda , Elder Sacauga, Elder McLaughlin and Elder Juzcaya enjoy eating  lunch together.

It looks like all we did was eat--but I didn't have my camera handy during the training!

Sister Daelo, Sister Gardoce with Elder Saba and Elder Ilgan

Who wouldn't love having any of these great missionaries for their trainer?

We are so proud of these missionaries who will lead the training during our next 2 cycles!